About the program
Complex public health problems require multidimensional and multidisciplinary solutions. Clark University's Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) in Community and Global Health, offered through the world-renowned International Development, Community, and Environment Department (IDCE), is ideal for students who are committed to health care as a right, not a privilege, and who believe in social justice and equity for all members of society.
- Clark's location in a mid-size urban environment offers unique, challenging opportunities.
- Small classes allow you to collaborate on projects with a diverse peer group.
- You develop valuable skills, such as project management, negotiation, and problem solving.
- You can take advantage of fellowships, practicum and internship experiences, a community health research collaboratory and volunteer opportunities.
- You'll gain valuable experience working alongside faculty in partnership with affected communities, policy makers and businesses.
- Your curriculum can be tailored to your interests.
COURSEWORK
Given the many factors that affect a person’s health, the study of public health is by necessity transdisciplinary, combining natural science and technology with social science and policy. Areas of focus include:
- Social determinants of health and health inequities
- Geographic information systems (GIS) and health
- Health policy
- Research at the community level
Curriculum: The M.H.S. curriculum offers some flexibility in sequencing of courses and areas of concentration. Faculty will work with individual students to address their specific needs including, if necessary, coordination with other programs.
You can choose from two concentrations.
- Community Health: This concentration focuses on key community concerns in the U.S. Topics include health inequities, healthy nutrition and active living, community mental health, diversion programs to steer youths away from gangs and sexual exploitation, and other factors that impede people’s ability to live healthy lives. Students will also learn about how community health monitoring and evaluation, and national policies influence how people and communities experience health and care.
- Global Health: This concentration addresses global health concerns, such as maternal mortality; the spread of infectious diseases, such as Zika virus; lack of access to basic services, such as water and sanitation, and the increase of non-infectious diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, in developing countries. Students will also learn about the outcomes and frameworks of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Requirements: 12 course units, which include one and a half credits devoted to completing the final M.H.S. project. The 12 course units include 9 required core courses and 3 elective courses.
Core courses (8) will introduce students to the core concepts and methods of public health. These include: Introduction to Community or Global Health; Epidemiology & Biostatistics; Comparative health systems; spatial analysis for global and community health; monitoring and evaluation; project management; community-based engaged research; health communication.
Elective courses (3) allow students to choose from a variety of topical areas such as Advanced Topics in Development Theory: The Political Economy of Food and the Ethics of Eating; Culture, Health and Power; Environment, Poverty and Health; Environmental Toxicology; Food Production, Environment and Health; Gender and Health; Geographic Information Science for Community Development and Planning; Inequality and Poverty; United States Health Care Policy.
Capstone, practicum, or internship (1) is the culminating experience of the curriculum where students develop individual or team-based experiences that allow them to translate the knowledge they gained in their studies into action. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the extensive network of public and private partners locally or internationally to secure field-based experiences for this requirement. Students can also work with a faculty on a research project as their culminating experience.
APPLICATION OVERVIEW
The International Development, Community, and Environment (IDCE) programs seek students with a clear commitment to work in the fields of community health or global health.
The Graduate Admissions Committee looks for a strong academic record, excellent recommendations from academic and/or professional sources, and two or three years of field experience. Strong applicants for IDCE's competitive graduate programs will often have:
- Overseas fieldwork or research.
- Professional and/or internship experience prior to applying.
- A strong statement of purpose and career intentions.
When your completed application is received, the Graduate Admissions Office will forward your application to the Admissions Committee. The time it takes to receive a decision will vary depending on the program to which you apply and when your application is submitted. Once a decision has been reached, you will be notified via email and your status in the application portal will be updated.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Create an account on our online application portal to complete your Clark Graduate School Application and upload any additional credentials as required.
- Application fee: $75 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application.
- Personal statement: Please discuss your academic interests and goals. Include your current professional and research interests, as well as your long-range professional objectives. Please be as specific as possible about how your objectives can be met at Clark and do not exceed 800 words.
- Resume: Required.
- Letters of recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required from persons who are competent to judge your qualifications for graduate study (at least one of the three should be from an academic source).
- Foreign language proficiency: Required of all international applicants. Please contact us if you believe you qualify for an exemption.
- TOEFL code: 5969 (TOEFL Information)
- IELTS: Please notify IELTS to send scores electronically to the Graduate Admissions Office. (IELTS Information)
- Official transcripts: Have your transcripts mailed directly from the institution to:
Clark University
Graduate Admissions Office
950 Main St.
Worcester, MA 01610
USA
- Monitor your application: Check the status of your application via the online application portal to ensure all of your credentials were received and view your final decision.
- Any questions? If at any point you have questions or concerns about your application, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office for assistance.
For Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and City Year Volunteers
All AmeriCorps, Peace Corps or City Year volunteers applying to a program in the International Development, Community and Environment Department are required submit a description of service as part of their application. If you are currently serving and have not yet received your description of service, a letter from your supervisor stating your current status and when your serve is expected to end will be acceptable. All descriptions of service or supervisor letters should be uploaded through your application status page or emailed to gradadmissions@clarku.edu.
For International Applicants
Official transcripts
All transcripts that are submitted as part of your application must be translated into English prior to submission. Transcripts from international programs that do not include the original language and the English translation will not be considered for admission. If you submit an official final transcript, please make sure to include confirmation of earned degree.
Financial documents
We ask that all international applicants refrain from sending financial documents as part of their application for admission. Financial documents will be needed only after you have received an offer of admission and choose to enroll at Clark University.
Required documents
After you accept the offer of admission and pay the non-refundable deposit, the following items are needed:
- International Student Information Form
- A copy of your passport
- Bank statement that is no more than 6 months old*
- Signed Affidavit of Support if the bank statement is not in your name and if you will not be using personal funds to finance your education*
Upload the documents listed above to your online application account.
*The bank statement and affidavit of support are needed for those who would like Clark University to issue an I-20 form (for students who want to obtain an F-1 student visa) or a DS-2019 (for students who want to obtain a J-1 visa)
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.clarku.edu/master-health-science-community-global-health